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Man Accused Of Raping Austin Homeless Man


A man is locked up in Austin accused of raping a homeless man in late January.

Police say 26-year-old Michael Connell offered to take a homeless man to get food and shower. The victim says Connell then took him to an empty apartment in the 2900 block of Barton Skyway, pulled a gun, and raped him.

Police ran into Connell in February when he flagged down an officer on the street and told them a man would not get out of his car. When the man got out, Connell left -- but the man told police a similar story to the January incident. He said Connell picked him up as he was walking downtown and took him to a vacant apartment to have sex. He refused to leave Connell's car after he refused to give him the money he was promised, according to the affidavit.

Police obtained a search warrant for a saliva sample from Connell and it matched DNA evidence from the January rape, according to court documents.

Police are not releasing Connell's mugshot because they say this investigation is still ongoing.

He is charged with burglary of a habitation with the intent to commit sexual assault, a first degree felony.